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Sinn Féin Social and Family Affairs spokesperson Aengus Ó Snodaigh has made a final appeal to the Government to restore the Christmas Social Welfare payment.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh today accompanied 12-year-old Curtis Tysom to Government Buildings as he presented a giant Christmas card appeal to the Government to restore the bonus payment. The card was designed by Curtis and carries the names of a number of councils throughout the state that have passed motions calling for the restoration of the payment.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh said:

“Councils up and down the country are supporting the restoration of the Christmas Bonus. It is clear that there is a groundswell of public support for the campaign.

“It is also clear that the Government has it within its gift to restore the payment as Sinn Féin has highlighted how funds can be found in our pre budget submission. All that is lacking now is the political will to have the payment restored.

“Without this payment many people are being forced into the hands of ruthless money lenders in desperation to provide a decent Christmas for their children.

“I am making a final appeal to the Government to restore this payment in tomorrow’s budget. Sinn Féin will not support a budget that does not include its restoration. We will also refuse to support a budget that includes further cuts to the social welfare budget. There is a different, fairer approach which Sinn Féin has set out and I urge the Government, even at this late stage, to take that approach.” ENDS